GRC Blog

Welcome to the GRC Recorders pages. This blog provides details on all the relevant news of Glamorgan’s scarcer birds, plus all BBRC & WRP decisions that affect us locally. It will also be used to document the status and occurrence of these scarcer species and we welcome contributions from anyone with photographs, artwork or documentation of rarities past, present and future. The GRC also welcomes all seawatching news from around Glamorgan and news of passage migrants in spring & autumn, uncommon birds in our area and unusual behaviour.

All visitors are welcome. You must first register by sending an email to GlamRC@gmail.com before you can contribute. An invite will be sent to your email address. Blog content will be strictly moderated. Access to pages and downloads are available to everyone. All photographs on this blog remain the property of the originator. If you would like to use photos, please arrange permission beforehand.

The Glamorgan Rarities Committee, in conjunction with the Glamorgan Bird Club & Gower Wildlife , have agreed to co-operate with the Welsh Ornithological Society in the sharing of bird records & photographs in the interest of keeping accurate records and to promote birdwatching in North, Mid & South Wales.

Thursday, 31 December 2015

2015 has been a great year for birding in Glamorgan and I've chosen a few of my favourite images from the last 12 months to see us into the New Year. Special thanks to Paul Parsons for use of the Black Stock sketch and to the finders:
Little Bunting - M.C. Powell & D.R.W. Gilmore
Great Spotted Cuckoo - M.J. Bevan
Cattle Egret - N. Donaghy
Ring-necked Duck - A.G. Stamp
Pallid Swift - E.A. Hunter

Here's to more of the same next year! Best of luck birding 2016 everyone!!

Rob Jones kindly sent a very nice shot of the Grey Phalarope at Sker Pool from this afternoon. The bird was at times quite mobile this morning before settling down in the afternoon and showing well to those who made the trip to see it. The retained juvenile dark tertials help age the bird as a first winter.

I can't see why this isn't a stock dove. Strangely this is the 3rd occasion I have seen it at this location in the last two months. Today I photographed it with my phone from approx. half metre away. I thought it might be injured but as I went to pick it up it flew off strongly. Apologies for poor photos, it was 7.45am.

The bird found yesterday (and possibly same bird that was briefly on Kenfig Pool on 24th) was still present this morning. It was very tame and not bothered by runners or dogs after it finally settled on Sker Pool.. However, it had been tricky earlier, flying about the various scattered shallow pools in the area.

Monday, 21 December 2015

The firecrest is still present but has moved north into Hamadryad Park. It was favouring the bank of brambles at the south end of the park just before the roadbridge. It was calling constantly and showing very well this afternoon.

Sunday, 13 December 2015

Gower Ornithological Society field trip today started at Rhossili before calling in on Common Cliff (via Paviland Farm) and finishing at Llanrhidian roost.

At Rhossili - 681 Common Scoters were in Rhossili Bay and 2 GND near Inner Worm. Also 1 Red-throated Diver, 5 Great Crested Grebes, a few Guillemots and a couple of Razorbills, with lots of unidentified Auk sp further out.

The day was hard work on the land with no Golden Plovers <40 Chaffinches, <100 Linnets, <30 Goldfinches, no winter thrushes, no Yellowhammers, but on a positive note Kestrels were almost constantly on view throughout the day.

Friday, 11 December 2015

A Grey Phalarope was showing at Crymlyn Burrows this morning. Initially seen at 09:15 as it flew over the surf over the shallow waters just west of the Neath River mouth, on the receding tide. Settling on the water between short flights where it was very difficult to keep track of, and was subsequently lost not long after first sighting. The bird remained unseen until 11:00 when it was again in the same area flying over the surf and settling on the water. Attempts to close the distance to get any record shots of it were unsuccessful before time ran out.

Note parking on Elba Crescent is now restricted to max 2hrs with 2hrs no return.

Saturday, 5 December 2015

Chris Brewer had a Little Auk while seawtaching at Port Eynon this morning. The bird past close in (just beyond the point) heading west at 08:30. This bird among a steady movement of Auks past Port Eynon and in addition were Great Northern Divers, Red-throated Divers and a dark morph Skua sp (probable Pomarine).

Monday, 23 November 2015

Nice capture of the Whooper Swan by Peter Smith at Fendrod Lake, found at 08:00am yesterday by Rob Taylor. Whoopers at this location very rarely stay long and this bird was no different, having departed by 09:00.

Friday, 20 November 2015

Mention has been made about the waryness or was it awareness of the Snow Geese at KNNR this week.
A feature of this is their sharing of eating / drinking so that some are aware and some are engaged in feeding
or drinking and then they swap over role as a sub - group. In this way the sentry's can alert those otherwise engaged.
These shots were taken in early Nov. in Manitoba, Canada - and these are truly wild geese - however they showed no interest in me at a distance of about 30 yards - so maybe they are not that wary after all?

Wednesday, 18 November 2015

Not bird news but pleased [and relieved!] to announce that the 2014 East Glam Bird Report is now with the printer. Just awaiting a costing before giving the go ahead to print but I took away a proof copy which he prepared while I watched him in action. Impressive.

6 Snow Geese were feeding in the fields along Kenfig Pool's east shore this morning. An unusual record to say the least and their origin will in all likelihood remain a mystery. A series of strong Atlantic weather systems, large flocks of feral geese (including Snow Geese) in Holland and a local occasionally free flying captive flock (up to 9 birds) that spent the night at the Gnoll Rugby Ground on 20th October might all come into consideration when trying to work out where they've come from.
Of the observers that have seen them, the common theme is that they appear wary.
Thanks to ND, JC, GP et al for the reports.

Monday, 16 November 2015

When I was scanning the estuary from the car park just west of Dalton's Point this morning, there were 6 or more Rock/Water Pipits flitting around calling constantly, but never landing in view. One or two at least appeared to have striking white bellies so I played Water Pipit song on my phone and after about 5 minutes a rather smart Water Pipit landed about 5m from the car. Great binocular views, but unfortunately by the time I'd focussed my scope and got the camera on my phone ready it had disappeared. I must take the proper camera next time.

Couple of record shots of the Leach's Petrel that flew past the shelter at Porthcawl at 11:50. It took a good while for the assembled sea watchers to be rewarded with a Leach's Petrel, while it seemed everywhere else in the Bristol Channel was chalking them up. In truth it was a very quiet session with birds of note few and far between.
07:00 - 12:30 Common Scoter (8+), Great Northern Diver (2), Diver sp (1), Great Crested Grebe (1), Fulmar (4), Gannet (7+), Leach's Petrel (1), Golden Plover (1), Sanderling (c20), Curlew (1), Turnstone (13), Kittiwake (40+), Guillemot (3) & Auk sp (20+)

Wednesday, 11 November 2015

At least one today at Afan Argoed Forest Park in an area that has held them previously (SS827938). One bird seen well at close range, but there was also a second bird seen in flight that landed distantly that might also have been a Great grey Shrike, though not confirmed. (EJo, RJo)

Andy Burns and Lol Middleton had a fly-over Wood Lark at Lavernock this morning. Andy got some good conclusive flight shots which I have lifted off Facebook - with Andy's permission. Assume this is was one of the birds that seem to be around that area at the moment.

Tuesday, 10 November 2015

Another session this morning was more rewarding but with slightly lower numbers of birds passing. The star bird by far was a cracking winter plumage Black-necked Grebe, giving a fly by appearance. Passing range was well inside the yellow bouy, but sadly not stopping before lost to view heading down channel. Seemed a little unfair to have another late Manx but no Balearic, and for the second day running the Auks passing close enough to be identified were all Guillemots.

Friday, 6 November 2015

The 5th of November is fast becoming a memorable date for Glamorgan Birders. In the not so distant past the Isabelline Wheatear turned up on this date, back in 2011. This year Eddie Hunter found a Pallid Swift from the comfort of his home (nice garden tick!). I've already freed the diary for 5/11/16 to spend the day birding.

Anyway, after last night's mild ID uncertainty, today the Pallid Swift gave itself up to a few brave Glamorgan listers as well as some of the finest Carmarthen and Pembrokeshire have to offer. Appearing to fly from roost in a tree at the playing fields off Addoldy Road at 08:02, Rob Jones spread news that the bird was still present. Not long afterwards Phil Bristow and myself were watching it drifting over the rooftops nearby. Over the next 2 hours the weather remained overcast, but the cloud was higher than yesterday afternoon. In these conditions the bird seemed to prefer feeding well above the rooftops, which meant it was generally much easier to keep track of its whereabouts. However, these same conditions found it ranging fairly widely and it was seen NE of Glyn-Neath at 09:30. Rain started to fall around 09:30 and the cloud level dropped, this brought the Pallid Swift back over Gellidawel Road, where it had been showing best for most of the morning. By about 10:00 the bird had drifted out of view low over the rooftops and hasn't been reported since.

The consensus of opinion on site was that it looked good for Pallid Swift. Some occasional brighter areas in the cloud would allow the bird's pale plumage tones to be seen, but rarely much more detail as it kept it's distance. The jizz of the bird always appeared good for Pallid, particularly the broadness of the wings with blunt tips. The languid flight action was noticeable, and comparison of sorts was made possible when an overhead Peregrine caused it fly more frantically - resembling a Common Swift with fast action. After the danger past the flight immediately returned to an unhurried action with distinct periods of gliding.

The distance between observer and bird meant that plumage detail was always tricky to make out. However, the photo above (taken at 08:27) caught the bird when it was fairly low down. A slightly raised right wing has allowed the underwing flight feathers to be partially illuminated. This photo shows pale fringed greater and median coverts, and the contrast between them and the lesser coverts appear obvious. Therefore, in my view, the combination of this plumage feature and the structural features of the bird, together with its flight action and behaviour mean this bird can be considered a Pallid Swift.

Obviously this will have to go before BBRC for an official judgement on the bird's credentials, but I'm confident it will produce a favourable decision. In the meantime I would like to pass on my congratulations to Eddie Hunter for delivering the latest addition to the Glamorgan List.

A few lucky Glamorgan & Carmarthenshire birders at Glyn-Neath on a wet Friday in November!

Thursday, 5 November 2015

Following a call at 14:40 from Eddie Hunter regarding a Swift species flying over Glyn-Neath this afternoon, I raced up to see it hoping for a Pallid. I got there around 15:30 and even though Eddie had seen the bird again briefly before I got there, it took us until 16:30 to see it again and pin it down.

Never seen Pallid before so armed with camera I rattled off as many shots as I was able to take. It showed at close range over the rooftops and School off New Street but the light was tragic and constant drizzle not helping either.

A few looks at it through the bins made me feel it was paler than I'd expect a Common Swift to look and that upper wing coverts were boldly fringed pale making the inner wing look scaly. The overall upper tones of the bird seeming fairly concolourous with no obvious saddle. Away from the upper wing I did not particularly notice a scaly look to the body plumage of notice any underwing features. Flight appeared more relaxed and lethargic, it appeared a bulky bird too.

Photos now processed show that no plumage features can be assessed safely from them. However, the shape and structure of the bird does make it look interesting. A few features to concentrate on are the relative length of t4 and t5, the broadness of the wing towards the tip, the bulk of the body and size of the bill. T4 & T5 seem fairly similar in length as expected for Pallid. Wings do appear broad towards the tip which is good for Pallid. The body appears fairly heavy which is good for Pallid. And the bill appears very prominent and big which is good for Pallid. Whether the structural appearance of this bird is enough to ID safely I'm not sure. Barry Stewart shares my sentiments and I thank him for his comments. We agree from the photos it probably is a Pallid but without the support of plumage features fear it might not be enough to be certain. Perhaps others might like to comment?

Saturday, 31 October 2015

With another 3 at Lavernock on 28/10/2015 [LM & AB], 3 at Mewslade on 18/10/2015 [PP, CG, PT] & 1 at Lavernock c10/10/15 [GNS], it seems we have had a good autumn passage of this once rare species, which has now become a fairly regular passage migrant to VC41.

Thursday, 29 October 2015

A visit to the roost at Llanrhidian this evening was really rewarding. In terms of the numbers and quality of species present, I can't remember it being better on any of my previous visits. Following Barry Stewart's haul last Friday and Simon Murray's report yesterday it seemed worthwhile to get into position in good time for the roost to kick-off.
I arrived at 15:30 and found a single ringtail Hen Harrier quartering the marsh immediately. Not long afterwards a second ringtail Hen harrier appeared in a different part of the marsh. Over the course of the evening they were on view regularly and occasionally flying together. Both birds were still flying after 16:30.
It wasn't until 16:00 that I saw the first Short-eared Owl, and it was quickly joined by a second. A third bird appeared by 16:30 and a single sweep over the marsh at 17:00 found 5 birds in the air at the same time, 3 chasing each other around in an erratic fashion and 2 hunting in a more relaxed manner in a different area.
At 16:45 a Barn Owl appeared albeit briefly.
At 16:50 2 Great White Egrets flew in together from the direction of Great Pill and Weobley, hugging the edge of the marsh. They came in flying fairly high and dropped swiftly from height into the reeds at the base of the Little Egret roost. 15 minutes later a single bird flew in from the Wernffrwd direction passing fairly near to Marsh Road. Undoubtedly a different individual though when I followed it no other GWE were on view, before it dropped into the same reedbed as the earlier two.

Simon Murray watching the same roost from a different location along Marsh Road had the 3 GWE flying up from the reedbed into the roost tree together. He also had 6 SEO's and 2 Barn Owls.(Note to self - I must try harder!)

A Great Grey Shrike was seen briefly and photographed by Thomas Winston, yesterday, at RGW between 12:07 and 12:10. Further searches for this bird later in the afternoon and again this morning have so far been unsuccessful.

A Wood Lark was seen and photographed over Lavernock Point by Andy Burns, yesterday.

The roost at Lanrhidian yesterday continued to impress with 2 ringtail Hen Harriers, 5 Short-eared Owls, 1 Barn Owl and 2 Great White Egrets into roost. All viewed from Marsh Road (SLM)

Lastly, a female Scaup flew through Swansea Bay off Aberavon Beach late afternoon, yesterday. The bird didn't hang around, generally heading up channel it made short flights between and settled briefly with small flocks of Great Crested Grebes that were scattered offshore along the beach (MHi).

Tuesday, 27 October 2015

A winter plumage Black-throated Diver was off Aberavon Beach late afternoon, today. There was also a very good count of Great Crested Grebes viewed from here between the two ports. A minimum of 231 were spread across the bay with the majority (147) on the Crymlyn Burrows side of the Neath River mouth. Also off Aberavon 11 Guillemots, which was down from c50 seen yesterday afternoon during a quick look during the strong winds. A Golden Plover, a species rarely seen in Swansea Bay, was also seen flying up channel yesterday.

Sunday, 25 October 2015

I am lucky that my work backs on to Cathays Cemetery (south section) and I have seen some nice birds over the years. I was working out in the yard when I heard a yellow browed calling from the sycamores backing on to our compound. Unfortunately I was without binoculars but decided to take a look. I was lucky enough to find it feeding low down in the sycamores when it gave close views. A good site tick for me.